Lethal Edge (Rifle Creek, #1)

by Kaylea Cross

A diehard romantic looking to start over in a small town.

Dr. Nina Benitez might be an astrophysicist and a scientist down to her bones, but she also believes in true love and happily ever after—and won’t settle for anything less. After a rocky end to her first semester teaching at the University of Montana, she’s looking forward to a new school year and a fresh start in the small town of Rifle Creek. When she meets her roommate’s work partner, a sexy, hard-edged detective, Nina is immediately intrigued. However, it’s soon clear they’re like oil and water. But when she’s confronted by the painful past event she wanted to forget, she faces an even greater danger. A predator is bent on silencing her forever, and Nina’s only hope of survival is the unattainable man who’s captured her heart.

A cynical cop determined to guard his heart.

Tate Baldwin has dedicated his life to serving and protecting, first in the military, and now as a detective in Rifle Creek. Badly burned by his last relationship, he isn’t looking to get involved with anyone, especially a brilliant college professor who seems to have her head in the clouds. Yet even Tate can’t deny the attraction between them that soon grows into something more. And when a secret from her past triggers a lethal threat, Tate will risk everything to stand between her and the monster who wants her dead.

• ISBN13: 9798666611951
• Publish Date: 26 July 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Independently Published
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 266
• Language: English

Reviews

[thebookdisciple]

Lethal Edge is book 1 in a new series from Kaylea Cross that features former military men, a small Montana town, and the ladies whom they come to love! I love a small town story because the townspeople usually become great secondary characters (Pat and Bev)!

Nina is a whipsmart astrophysicist but also a dewy eyed romantic. I enjoyed the fact that someone who is intellectually brilliant still held on to hope in things like love at first sight. Often, smart women in books are portrayed as cynical because they are scientists and only rely on facts. It was nice to see another side! Also, Nina's past provides some of the suspense in the book and it was very intriguing. You get glimpses into the villain throughout the story (even within the first chapter or so) and that added to the suspense. I enjoyed this aspect of Lethal Edge!

Tate was a little more difficult for me to warm up to. He has a HUGE chip on his shoulder from an ex. He has basically written off love. He is annoyed and confused by his feelings for Nina, and is sure that her stance on romance is incorrect because of his experience with an ex. Tate is 37-was this one horrible ex the only relationship he ever had? If so, his behavior is a bit more understandable. If he had other relationships, or had seen positive relationships, you would think his views wouldn't be so black and white on the idea of love. Perhaps it bothered me more because I did love Nina and her optimism. Of course, during the course of Lethal Edge, Tate does develop and grow. It was just his initial behavior that really rubbed me the wrong way.

Tate and his former military friends are creating a new business that will help train investigators, private security, etc and I really loved their business idea. I'm excited to see this grow throughout the books! Lethal Edge is a good introduction to this new series and there are a lot of things romantic suspense readers will enjoy!

 

•   POV: 3rd


•   Tears: no


•   Trope: ex military, police


•   Triggers: There is a rapist violating and stalking women in the area. Nothing graphic is described]


•   Series/Standalone: stand alone


•   Cliffhanger: no


•   HEA: yes

other badass former military heroes like those in Cyclone by Janie Crouch, Defending Allye by Susan Stoker, Resurrection by Katie Reus...then you will probably like Lethal Edge!

 

Lethal Edge

 See full review on The Book Disciple